Traverse City Travel Blog

The weather forecaster was right: A gentle blanket of snow covered the downtown Traverse City streets overnight. My 7:00 a.m. wake-up call at Hotel Indigo came with a mesmerizing view of Grand Traverse Bay. Gazing across the glistening water, I nearly fell back into a dream as I envisioned the

Halloween has come and gone. Thanksgiving is right around the corner. And Christmas comes just a few weeks after that – 31 shopping days, to be exact. 

Of course, not all shopping days are created equal. Nor do all places to shop offer the same magical experience. 

Whether you’re local or visiting, spending Thanksgiving in Traverse City is bound to be filled with joy, warmth, and plenty of delicious memories. Gather around the table with loved ones and enjoy a meal cooked by local northern Michigan chefs. 

You can’t get Short’s Brewing innovations such as Pumpkincrusha on Nitro or Hot Loins aphrodisiac beer in the store. And you won’t find the Bellaire brewer’s Pistachio Cream Ale or S’more Stout at your local bar.

But you can come to taste them all this fall during Traverse City Beer Week. The annual celebration of northern Michigan brews returns Nov. 10-17 with drink specials – and special, experimental beers – at craft breweries all over the Traverse City area. 

The International Fireworks Championship transformed the night sky into a canvas of colors and shapes. These spectacular shows blend science, creativity, and pyrotechnic expertise to create breathtaking moments that left the audience in awe. Four teams from Germany, France, Mexico, and the USA took to the stage as spectators were treated to an unparalleled symphony of light and sound. In the end, the crowd would cast their vote for Best of Show with Germany taking home the trophy. 

Take a look at some highlights from the event! 

It seems like we just turned the calendar from June to July, and now we’ve changed it again to August. In just a few short weeks it will be fall, believe it or not.

As awesome as autumn is, why does summer have to go by so fast? Unfortunately, there is no pause button on life. But there is still time to slow down and soak up summer in northern Michigan before it’s too late. 

If you’re seeking a Michigan destination where you can really appreciate and contribute to the conservation of our state’s natural beauty, it’s hard not to think of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The Traverse City-area treasure offers 70,000 glorious acres of trails and beaches spread along 65 miles of spectacular shoreline.  

Many visitors use the words “Traverse City” as a kind of shorthand for the entire region of peninsulas, islands and forested highlands surrounding Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay. 

If the arrival of spectacular summer weather wasn’t enticing enough to visit the Traverse City area, Up North Pride is organizing some special events in June that you won’t want to miss.

Quick, name a part of the world known for its wine. For many of us, the answer might be Napa Valley in California or Bordeaux in France. Well, get ready to add Traverse City, Michigan to that elite list.